The Spiritual Lives of People Around the World: Below the Surface

What do followers of religions around the world truly believe? While it’s fairly simple to find formal teachings of different religions online or in a world encyclopedia, a comprehensive understanding requires examining the everyday practices of its followers. The Center for Bible Engagement (CBE) explored the spiritual lives of individuals across six major religions: Buddhism, Chinese Traditionalism, Hinduism, Judaism, Islam, and Christianity. We analyzed data from nearly 10,000 participants across 20 countries, exploring their beliefs, spiritual practices, and engagement with sacred texts. We also examined their spiritual struggles and the willingness of people from different faiths to engage with the Bible. Our goal was two-fold: to better understand the lived experiences of people of different faiths and to help Christ-followers more effectively share the gospel. 

Summary of People's Spiritual Lives Across Religions 

Most faiths have a basic belief in a spiritual existence and believe that daily decisions impact the future. Uncertainty about the afterlife and fear are common experiences, regardless of a person’s faith. Additionally, many people around the globe have a strong desire for spiritual growth. 

The concept of prayer and how an individual communicates with God or gods differs widely among the religions we examined. The level of engagement with sacred texts varies significantly, as well.  

Motivations for engaging with sacred texts vary from learning about the divine, gaining wisdom for better lives, and finding comfort. We also found that people who follow other religions are generally open to reading the Christian Bible, if given the opportunity.  

Knowing that a significant percentage of non-Christians are willing to engage with the Bible could encourage more Christ-followers to evangelize. Additionally, learning more about these different religious groups and why people engage with sacred texts can also help Christians effectively share their beliefs with others. 

Here’s a closer look at key findings for each religious group: 

• Buddhists: Buddhism emphasizes personal enlightenment through moral conduct, mindfulness, and wisdom, rather than the worship of a god. While most Buddhists consider it the right religion for them (70%), fewer believe it’s the sole path to truth (40%). Many are unsure about what happens after death. For Buddhists, prayer and meditation are a means to focus on inner transformation. However, engagement with Buddhist texts is relatively low in a typical week (40%). A key motivator for engaging with spiritual text is to gain wisdom, and many Buddhists are open to engaging with the Christian Bible (51%). Fear and anxiety are common struggles for Buddhists.  

• Chinese Traditionalists: This group believes in a spiritual realm that mirrors the present world, with deities, immortals, and a Yin World where the dead are judged. Chinese Traditionalists are the least likely to feel confident that their religion is the right one for them. Many are uncertain about the afterlife (one-third), which includes the concept of reincarnation. They’re also uncertain about their own fate after death (46%). Venerating ancestors is a common practice, but there is no single sacred text. More than one-third of this faith’s adherents read the writings of Confucius and 27% read the teachings of Buddha. Many are motivated by the desire for wisdom to live a better life, and they are open to the Christian Bible (62%). Fear and anxiety are the top spiritual struggles for this group.  

• Hindus: Hinduism emphasizes a supreme spirit called Brahman, as well as numerous gods and goddesses. Hindus are generally devout and have a strong interest in spiritual matters. The faith includes the concept of reincarnation based on karma, with the goal of liberation (moksha), although there is no universal agreement on spiritual existence after death. Most Hindus regularly participate in worship, prayer, and meditation and are motivated by the desire for wisdom. They are generally open to the Christian Bible (73%). Personal communication with gods resonates with many Hindus. Common spiritual struggles include fear and anxiety, overspending, gossip, and discouragement.  

• Jews: While they share a common heritage, Jews have diverse beliefs and practices. Most feel confident their religion is the right one for them (75%), though a smaller percentage feel it’s the only true path to spiritual growth (36%). Judaism lacks specific dogma regarding the afterlife, and many Jews are unsure about their fate after death (45%). Personal faith practices don’t play a large role in daily life for many Jews. Jews' strongest motivation for engaging with a sacred text is comfort during difficult times. Jews show the least familiarity and willingness to engage with the Christian Bible. Prayers are seen as introspection about one's role in the universe. Jews also commonly struggle with fear and anxiety.  

• Muslims: With almost two billion adherents worldwide, Islam is a monotheistic faith based on the revelations received by the Prophet Muhammad. Islam emphasizes submission to the will of God (Allah). Muslims have the highest rates of involvement with prayer and reading their sacred text, the Qur’an. Most Muslims follow their religion closely (95%) and believe it is the one true path (74%). Islam teaches that after death, individuals face judgment by Allah. For Muslims, the most critical motivators for engaging spiritual texts are to learn more about God and experience closeness with him. They are open to engaging the Christian Bible. The concept of personally communicating with God resonates with Muslims. Muslims frequently struggle with feelings of guilt, fear, and spiritual stagnation. 

Although the research revealed significant differences in beliefs and spiritual practices, we found common themes across faith traditions. In general, people around the globe have a strong desire to grow spiritually. Additionally, many are open to engaging with the Christian Bible. Learning more about these diverse religious groups and their motivations to read sacred texts can help Christ-followers approach others with compassion, respect, and understanding, which would lead to better conversations and a more authentic connection to God’s Word.

See related CBE research: 

Faith in Real Life: An In-Depth Look at the Spiritual Lives of People around the Globe

[Infographic] Jamaica Spiritual Needs Assessment 

Bible Engagement in New York City 

 See related topics from ODBM: 

Broadcasting Hope to the Nations 

A Little Library with a Large Impact 

Evangelism, Missions, and The Church