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Subject: Religions of the World
Replies: 57 Views: 1491
oubaas 9.12.09 - 12:34pm
4) Estimates based on indirect data: Many adherent counts are only obtained by estimates based on indirect data rather than direct questioning or directly from membership roles. Wiccan groups have traditionally been secretive and often their numbers can only be estimated based on magazine circulations, attendance at conferences, etc. The counts of many ethnic-based faith groups such as tribal religions are generally based on the size of associated ethnic groups. Adherents of some tribal religions (such as Yoruba) are sometimes counted simply by counting the members of the tribe and assuming everybody in it is an adherent of the religion. Counts of Eastern Orthodox religious bodies are often done the same way. Such estimates may be highly unreliable. *
oubaas 9.12.09 - 12:34pm
5) Field work: To count some small groups, or to count the number of adherents a larger group has within a specific geographical area, researchers sometimes do field work to count adherents. This is often the only way to count members of small tribal groups or semi-secretive, publicity-shy sects. Field work may involve contacting leaders of individual congregations, temples, etc., conducting interviews with adherents, counting living within enclaves of the group, or counting those parti ting in key activities. There is substantial overlap between estimates and field work. *
oubaas 9.12.09 - 12:35pm
For the purposes of this list of major religions, we have used adherent counts or estimates based on self-identification. We have also favored inclusive rather than exclusive adherent counts (meaning all people who are part of a religious community, children as well as adults, rather than full communicants). It should be remembered, however, that self-identification is not the only legitimate measure of a religious group's size. In collecting census or survey data based on self-identification statisticians find that nearly everybody claims to belong to a religion. *
oubaas 9.12.09 - 12:36pm
Some people claiming membership in a certain denomination may actually attend religious services regularly, contribute resources to the group, and be influenced by its teachings. Other people may name the denomination, but choose it as their religion only because they recall its name as the church their grandfather attended as boy. Detailed an*lysis of the size of individual groups requires a knowledge of both self-identification data as well as data based on organizational reporting. *
oubaas 9.12.09 - 12:37pm
Finally, let me make it clear that these definitions are simply working definitions for the purposes of making this list. They should not be taken as definitive outside of this context. Many of our reasons for defining the parameters as we have done have to do with the availability of data. Other definitions and parameters may be more meaningful or useful in other situations. *
oubaas 9.12.09 - 12:39pm
Source: http://www.adherents.com/Religions_By_Adherents.html *
oubaas 24.04.12 - 06:58am
If time permits, i wil also post this at http://oppie-koffie.co.uk Oppie Koffie
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