We study different religious faiths in order to understand other people. Many people have strong religious convictions, and it would be impossible to understand them without first understanding their faith. People are regularly persecuted for their beliefs. In this century as many as six million Jews were murdered in the Holocaust.
Religious conflicts persist in Ireland, the Middle East and in many other parts of the world.
By understanding one another, we can hope to develop tolerance and respect for all people. About half of the people of the world practice Judaism, Christianity, or Islam. They are found on every continent, but tend to be concentrated in North and South America, Europe, Australia, Western Asia and North Africa. Christianity and Islam are growing influences in sub-Saharan Africa, often replacing indigenous faiths. The two nations were considered one until 1948 when both gained independence from Great Britain.