Which of the following are the five major world religions commonly studied in this course?

The correct answer consists of the five major world religions commonly studied, which are Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Judaism. These religions have significant historical, theological, and cultural influences and are the most widely practiced around the globe.

Christianity, as the largest religion, emphasizes the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and has numerous denominations. Islam, based on the teachings of the prophet Muhammad, is the second-largest religion and includes major sects such as Sunni and Shia. Hinduism, one of the oldest religions, is characterized by a diverse range of beliefs and practices, including various gods and philosophies. Buddhism, founded by Siddhartha Gautama (the Buddha), focuses on the path to enlightenment and understanding the nature of suffering. Judaism, one of the oldest monotheistic religions, centers around the covenant between God and the Jewish people, with significant historical and cultural contributions.

Other options include different religions that, while important in their own right, do not align with the most commonly studied major world religions in a comparative religion course like REL2300. For example, Taoism and Shinto are significant but are not globally predominant in the same way as the correct answer. Similarly, the other listed religions in the incorrect options, such