The Most Popular Holy Book, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the holy book you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:40
Throughout history, holy books have shaped cultures, laws, and personal beliefs, acting as guides and sources of inspiration for countless individuals. Understanding which texts hold significant influence today can provide insight into global cultural trends and shifts in spiritual focus. By ranking these books according to popularity, one gains a snapshot of which teachings are resonating most with people around the world at this time.
This system enables everyone to participate in recognizing the most treasured writings that have been revered for generations to centuries. Your votes help others see which books are currently most esteemed, fostering a broader appreciation of diverse spiritual traditions. Whether you're deeply religious or simply curious about spiritual literature, your input is valuable in crafting a picture of our collective spiritual landscape.
What Is the Most Popular Holy Book?
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162votesThe Bible is the most popular holy book as it is the central religious text of Christianity. It contains the Old Testament, which is the Jewish Tanakh, and the New Testament, which is the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.The Bible is a religious text that holds great significance for many religious and cultural communities around the world. It is a collection of sacred scriptures and writings that are revered as divinely inspired by Christians and Jews. The Bible is divided into two main sections, the Old Testament, which contains religious texts and history prior to the birth of Jesus Christ, and the New Testament, which focuses on the life, teachings, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It covers a wide range of genres, including narratives, poetry, laws, prophecies, and letters. The Bible has been translated into numerous languages and has had a profound impact on literature, art, and religious practices throughout history.
- Number of Books: 66 (for Protestant versions)
- Number of Chapters: 1,189
- Number of Verses: 31,102
- Languages: Written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek
- Publication Date: Between the 15th century BCE and the 1st century CE
The Bible in other rankings- Position 3 of 10 in Most difficult to read
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236votes
The Quran
AllahThe Quran is the central religious text of Islam and is considered to be the word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is the second most popular holy book after the Bible.The Quran is the holy book of Islam, believed by Muslims to be the word of Allah (God) as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad through the angel Gabriel. It is considered to be the final and most important revelation from Allah to humanity.- Revelation: Believed to be the literal word of Allah.
- Language: Written in classical Arabic.
- Chapters: Consists of 114 chapters (surahs) of varying lengths.
- Verses: Composed of approximately 6,236 verses (ayahs).
- Themes: Covers a wide range of topics including theology, ethics, law, guidance, and stories of prophets.
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35votesThe Bhagavad Gita is a sacred Hindu text that is part of the Mahabharata, an ancient Indian epic. It contains the conversation between Lord Krishna and Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.The Bhagavad Gita, often referred to as the Gita, is a 700-verse Hindu scripture that is part of the Indian epic Mahabharata. It is a sacred text of the Hindu religion and considered one of the most beloved books in the world.
- Language: Sanskrit
- Genre: Philosophical
- Publication Date: Unknown (estimated between 5th and 2nd century BCE)
- Verses: 700
- Narrative: Conversation between prince Arjuna and god Krishna
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428votes
The Tao Te Ching
Lao TzuThe Tao Te Ching is a sacred Taoist text that contains the teachings of Lao Tzu, the founder of Taoism. It is considered to be one of the most important texts in Chinese philosophy.The Tao Te Ching is a ancient Chinese philosophical text that is considered one of the most beloved books in the world. It is widely regarded as a foundational text of Taoism and has greatly influenced various aspects of Eastern philosophy and spirituality.- Written language: Chinese
- Genre: Philosophy
- Publication date: Estimated 6th century BCE
- Structure: 81 short chapters or poems
- Themes: Tao, virtue, nature, simplicity, humility
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516votesThe Guru Granth Sahib is the central religious text of Sikhism and is considered to be the final and eternal guru of the Sikhs. It contains the teachings of the ten Sikh gurus and other saints and scholars.The Guru Granth Sahib is the central religious scripture of Sikhism. It is a collection of devotional hymns and verses written by various Sikh Gurus and other saints. The Guru Granth Sahib is considered as the eternal spiritual guide and Guru of the Sikhs.
- Language: The text of the Guru Granth Sahib is primarily in Gurmukhi script, with some compositions in other languages such as Persian and Braj.
- Length: The Guru Granth Sahib contains 1,430 pages.
- Authors: It includes writings by Sikh Gurus, Bhagats (Hindu saints), and Muslim Sufis.
- Verses: There are 5,894 verses in the Guru Granth Sahib.
- Musical Form: The hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib are composed in various musical ragas.
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613votesThe Book of Mormon is a sacred text in the Latter Day Saint movement and contains the teachings of Jesus Christ as revealed to the prophet Joseph Smith. It is considered to be a companion to the Bible.The Book of Mormon is a religious text in the Latter Day Saint (LDS) movement, also known as Mormonism. It is considered by its followers to be a companion scripture to the Bible, testifying of the divinity of Jesus Christ and providing additional teachings and narratives.
- Publication Date: 1830
- Religious Tradition: Latter Day Saint (LDS) movement
- Author: Joseph Smith Jr.
- Claimed Translation Method: Translating from golden plates by divine guidance
- Narrative Setting: Pre-Columbian Americas
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75votesThe Dhammapada is a Buddhist text that contains the teachings of the Buddha on moral and ethical conduct, meditation, and wisdom. It is considered to be one of the most important texts in Theravada Buddhism.The Dhammapada is a collection of sayings and teachings of the Buddha in verse form. It is considered one of the most important holy scriptures in Buddhism and is widely regarded as a practical guide to the teachings of the Buddha.
- Origin: Presumed to have been orally transmitted and later compiled around the 3rd century BCE.
- Language: Originally composed in Pali language.
- Sections: The Dhammapada is divided into twenty-six sections called chapters or sections.
- Verses: It consists of 423 verses in total, each conveying a specific teaching or lesson.
- Themes: Common themes include mindfulness, ethical conduct, wisdom, and the path to liberation.
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87votesThe Zend-Avesta is a sacred text of Zoroastrianism, an ancient Persian religion. It contains the teachings of the prophet Zarathustra and is considered to be one of the oldest religious texts in the world.The Zend-Avesta is the holy book of Zoroastrianism, one of the world's oldest surviving religions. It is a collection of sacred texts and hymns that outline the religious and moral teachings of Zoroastrianism.
- Language: The Zend-Avesta is written in Avestan, an ancient Iranian language.
- Contents: It consists of three main sections: the Yasna, Visperad, and Vendidad. These sections contain hymns, prayers, rituals, and moral codes.
- Age: The texts of the Zend-Avesta originate from various periods, spanning from the 6th century BCE to the 3rd century CE.
- Manuscript Fragments: Only fragments of the original Zend-Avesta have survived. The oldest known manuscripts date back to the 13th century CE.
- Diverse Authorship: The Zend-Avesta was composed by multiple authors across different periods, resulting in variations and layers of textual additions.
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913votes
Reuvenk · CC BY 3.0The Talmud is a Jewish text that contains the teachings and discussions of rabbis on Jewish law, ethics, customs, and history. It is considered to be the central text of Judaism after the Torah.The Talmud is a sacred Jewish text that contains legal discussions, rabbinic teachings, and interpretations of the Hebrew Bible. It is considered one of the most important holy books in Judaism and provides guidance on religious practices, ethics, and laws.- Written Language: The Talmud is primarily written in Mishnaic Hebrew and Aramaic.
- Structure: It is composed of two major parts: the Mishnah, a compilation of Jewish oral laws, and the Gemara, a commentary on the Mishnah.
- Size: The Talmud is a vast work consisting of 63 tractates and over 6,200 pages in its standard printed edition.
- Time Period: The Talmud was developed between the 3rd and 6th centuries CE, but its oral traditions can be traced back to the time of the Second Temple (516 BCE - 70 CE).
- Authority: The Talmud holds significant authority in Jewish religious life and is considered the basis for Jewish law and custom.
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103votes
Confucius and his disciples, · Public domainThe Analects
ConfuciusThe Analects is a sacred text of Confucianism that contains the teachings of the Chinese philosopher Confucius on ethics, morality, and politics. It is considered to be one of the most important texts in Chinese culture.The Analects is a collection of teachings and ideas attributed to the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. It is considered one of the most important texts in Confucianism and has had a significant impact on East Asian culture.- Author: Confucius
- Religion: Confucianism
- Language: Classical Chinese
- Year of creation: Approximately 475-221 BCE
- Theme: Ethics, morality, propriety, and governance
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular holy book
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Number of followersThe number of people who adhere to the religion associated with the holy book can be a key indicator of its popularity.
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Historical influenceThe impact the holy book has had on human history, including its role in shaping cultures, belief systems, politics, and social norms, should also be considered.
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Geographic distributionThe extent to which the holy book is read, followed, and practiced across the globe can also contribute to its perceived popularity.
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Literary and linguistic influenceThe impact the holy book has had on language, literature, and the arts can also be an important factor in determining its popularity.
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Translations and availabilityThe number of translations of the holy book and its accessibility to people around the world, including online and audio versions, can also play a role.
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Continuity and timelessnessA holy book's relevance and resonance throughout the centuries can be another crucial element in assessing its popularity.
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Interfaith acceptance and respectThe level of acceptance and respect that the holy book receives from followers of other faith traditions can also be a key factor.
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Scholarly interest and studyThe degree to which the holy book is the subject of academic research, interpretation, and debate can also contribute to its popularity.
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Impact on social issues and ethicsThe influence of the holy book's teachings on social and ethical issues, both historically and in the present day, can be another significant factor.
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Personal relevance and spiritual impactFinally, the extent to which individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds find the holy book meaningful and transformative in their personal lives can also be an important aspect of its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular holy book. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or Bible is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 2008 views
- 186 votes
- 10 ranked items
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each Bible once every 24 hours. The rank of each Bible is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular holy book
The debate over which holy book is the most popular has been a long-standing topic of discussion among religious scholars and enthusiasts alike. While the three Abrahamic religions - Judaism, Christianity, and Islam - all have their own sacred texts, there are also other religious traditions with their own holy books.
One of the most well-known holy books is the Bible, which is the sacred text of Christianity. It consists of two parts: the Old Testament, which documents the history of the Jewish people, and the New Testament, which focuses on the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. The Bible is widely considered to be the best-selling book of all time and has been translated into numerous languages.
Another widely recognized holy book is the Quran, which is the sacred text of Islam. It is believed by Muslims to be the direct word of God as revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. The Quran contains teachings on various aspects of life, including ethics, morality, and spirituality. It is also considered to be one of the most influential books in the world, with over 1.9 billion Muslims following its teachings.
Other popular holy books include the Torah, which is the sacred text of Judaism, and the Bhagavad Gita, which is a Hindu scripture that contains teachings on spirituality and morality.
Overall, the most popular holy book is a matter of perspective and depends on one's religious beliefs and cultural background. Nevertheless, the Bible and the Quran remain two of the most widely recognized and influential religious texts in the world.
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